a rose by any other

I'm still really struggling with this whole name-changing issue. It's a large decision, obviously.

I'm pretty definite that I don't really like my name. I find it weird, and clunky, and just unattractive. Even when I wanted to use it as a middle name for a daughter, I was uncomfortable about it because it just wasn't melodic in any way. But do I dislike it enough to go through the hassle, both official and unofficial, of changing it? It would take YEARS before the change went through, and that's only in my junk mail! Heck, I'm still getting mail addressed to my maiden name, and I haven't used that, even by accident, in seven years. It would be longer than that before I managed to get all my friends to switch over, and that would only come after repeated reminders that would probably wind up being as irritating as dealing with the name itself.

I could go with a nickname, and skip the official name change. It would still leave me open to stupid store clerks who think it's "friendly" to butcher someone's name, and doctor's offices, etc. But it would be something!

Overall, I'm very glad I decided not to make the decision for a while. By my birthday I should have an idea how strong my desire is to make this change.